Editorial: Don't miss Springfield's Public-Forum series

From theologian Reinhold Niebuhr to feminist Betty Friedan and from Leonard Bernstein to Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, the Springfield Public Forum lecture series hasn’t lost any of its intellectual firepower over the last 75 years.

The series was born in the midst of the Great Depression when the city received a three-year grant to provide free public lectures at a time when money was scarce and hunger for knowledge was strong.

We’re happy to report that intellectual curiosity is alive and well in Springfield as the forum embarks on its 2010 season.

The forum, which still does not cost citizens a dime, offers Greater Springfield residents a rare opportunity to hear what’s on the mind of some of the world’s best thinkers.

The organizers of the series have a knack for bringing lecturers who offer keen insights about the hot topics of the day.

Last week, Justice Breyer, the opening speaker of the series, warned his Symphony Hall audience that the respect for the law is “More fragile, and not as inevitable” as the public might think.

Other speakers this year include: Cornell professor Steve Squyers, lead scientist for the Mars Land Rover, on Oct. 24; Kavita Ramdas, adviser to the Global Fund for Women on Oct. 28; Newark Mayor Cory Brooker on Nov. 8 and news commentators Mark Shields and David Brooks on Nov. 30.

Circle your calendars and take advantage of these mind-expanding lectures. To learn about how you can become a sponsor of the forum go to its website at www.springfieldpublicforum.org/